MIT Solve supports social entrepreneurs addressing critical global issues in health, education, and economic prosperity. The program is open to individual entrepreneurs and organizations worldwide that have previously participated in Solve’s programs or are working on scalable solutions aligned with their impact pillars. Selected innovators receive a portion of US$1 million in prize funding to further develop and scale their technological solutions. Applications must be submitted by 21 May 2026. MIT Solve
awards/prizes
Africa-Europe Innovation Partnership — Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship 2026
The Africa-Europe Innovation Partnership (AEIP) invites applications for the Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship 2026. This fellowship is open to storytellers, digital artists, and creative professionals from Africa and Europe who focus on the intersection of art, technology, and social impact. Participants will engage in a collaborative program designed to highlight innovative solutions through diverse media formats. The program provides a grant of €3 thousand to each fellow to support the development and dissemination of their creative projects. The deadline for applications is 29 May 2026. Link
Fonds Pierre Castel — Agricultural Entrepreneurship in Africa
The Fonds Pierre Castel invites applications for the Pierre Castel Prize to support agricultural entrepreneurship in Africa. The program targets entrepreneurs between 18 and 45 years old who lead businesses in the agriculture, agrifood, or circular economy sectors. Applicants must be residents and nationals of Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, or the Democratic Republic of Congo. The prize offers €15 thousand for the first-place winner and €10 thousand for the second-place winner in each country, along with mentorship and professional coaching. Applications must be submitted by 30 May 2026. Pierre Castel Prize
MDPI — Forest Best PhD Thesis Award
The journal Forests invites nominations for its annual award recognizing outstanding research published in the field of forest science. The competition is open to authors of research or review articles published in the journal during the 2025 calendar year. The editorial board selects winners based on the scientific merit and impact of the work. The program offers a prize of CHF 500 and a certificate, along with an opportunity to publish one additional paper free of charge in the journal after peer review. The deadline for nominations is 31 May 2026. Best PhD Thesis Award
Africa Centre for Energy Policy — Energy Leaders Innovation Challenge 2026
The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) invites applications for the Future Energy Leaders Innovation Challenge. The program is open to young African innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs who are developing sustainable energy solutions to address energy poverty and climate change across the continent. Selected participants receive technical mentorship, access to industry networks, and a grant of US$5 thousand to pilot or scale their innovations. Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old and residents of an African country. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026. Energy Innovation Challenge
UNESCO — Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation
UNESCO invites nominations for the Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Conservation to recognize outstanding contributions to the management or preservation of the environment. Eligible candidates include individuals, groups of individuals, institutes, and organizations that have made significant impacts through environmental and natural resources research, environmental education and training, or the creation of protected areas such as biosphere reserves and World Heritage sites. The prize consists of a diploma and a financial award of US$100 thousand. The deadline for nominations is 15 June 2026. Prize for Environmental Preservation
Global Development Network — Global Development Awards Competition 2026
The Global Development Awards Competition is open for applications. The awards recognize excellence in policy-oriented research, support research capacity development of researchers in low and middle-income countries, and fund innovative social development projects benefiting marginalized groups in the developing world. The program targets non-profit NGOs and CSOs that are currently implementing projects focused on science, technology, and innovation to support marginalized groups. Three winners will receive grants totaling US$125 thousand: two first-prize winners receive US$50 thousand each, and one second-prize winner receives US$25 thousand, all accompanied by technical advising. Additionally, the first-prize winners may later compete for a Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) grant of up to US$200 thousand after a twelve-month implementation period. The application deadline is 17 June 2026. Global Development Awards
Royal Academy of Engineering — Research Fellowships
The Royal Academy of Engineering offers Research Fellowships to early-career researchers to support them to become future research leaders in engineering. (Note: This may include one or more thematic areas covered by the Terra Viva Grants Directory). Each application is capped at a maximum contribution from the Academy of £625 thousand over five years, at 80% of full economic costs. The Academy welcomes applications from early-career researchers worldwide. The deadline for applications is 25 June 2026. Engineering Research Fellowships
MDPI — Forest Young Investigator Award
MDPI, a publisher of peer-reviewed, open-access journals, invites applications and nominations for the Forest 2026 Young Investigator Award. The winner will receive CHF 1000. This prize will be given to one young investigator in recognition of their excellence in the field of sustainability and sustainable development. Candidates must be under 35 years and be nominated by senior researchers. The deadline for nominations is 30 June 2026. Forest Young Investigator Award
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change — AI for Climate Action Award
The AI for Climate Action Award is a global competition that celebrates the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in tackling climate change. Anyone above the age of 18 years, with an open-source, AI-powered climate solution developed in or for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) or Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is encouraged to apply. Applications are welcome from individuals, teams, start-ups, organizations, or any other type of entity. The submission deadline is 30 June 2026. AI for Climate Action Award